Venice Boat Tour with Grand Canal & Tower Climb

PRICE

$116.62

Key Details

Highlights

Escape the crowds, visiting the top sights of Venice from the water, with a special stop at one of the city’s least-visited islands, where you’ll climb the bell tower for the best panoramic views.

Your luxury Venice boat tour will cruise the Grand Canal passing the most important palaces, buildings and bridges of the city. Then stop at quiet little San Giorgio Maggiore Island.

This is our most intimate group tour, with only 9 people per boat – so you’ll find it easy to hear your guide while they tell you fascinating stories behind the sights as you pass them.

The view from San Giorgio Maggiore Tower

The view from San Giorgio Maggiore Tower

Tour Description

Explore Venice in Confort from the Water, with an Expert Guide

One of Venice’s grandest traditions is boating down the Grand Canal. The city's main waterway serves as a passage for ambulances, cargo vessels and gondolas, while its shores are lined with the most beautiful palaces and bridges. You'll see them all and soak up the atmosphere of the Grand Canal on our luxury Venice Boat Tour. As you pass each one your guide will tell you the stories and anecdotes that make them so incredible, from the Cà d’Oro and Cà Pesaro palaces; to the Rialto Bridge; Rialto Fish Market; and the Accademia Gallery.

From the water, you’ll see the Doge’s Palace and the St. Mark's Basilica like never before. You’ll explore the city’s prettiest inner canals, Venice’s equivalent to “back streets...

Explore Venice in Confort from the Water, with an Expert Guide

One of Venice’s grandest traditions is boating down the Grand Canal. The city's main waterway serves as a passage for ambulances, cargo vessels and gondolas, while its shores are lined with the most beautiful palaces and bridges. You'll see them all and soak up the atmosphere of the Grand Canal on our luxury Venice Boat Tour. As you pass each one your guide will tell you the stories and anecdotes that make them so incredible, from the Cà d’Oro and Cà Pesaro palaces; to the Rialto Bridge; Rialto Fish Market; and the Accademia Gallery.

From the water, you’ll see the Doge’s Palace and the St. Mark's Basilica like never before. You’ll explore the city’s prettiest inner canals, Venice’s equivalent to “back streets,” taking in the city’s beautiful palaces and getting a sense of how Venetians really live.

Admire the Best View in Venice from the Bell Tower of San Giorgio Maggiore

At this stage you’ll have seen the most famous sights of Venice so we’ll continue our off-the-beaten-path tour for something quite special. Few visitors take the time to visit the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore. That’s their loss and you’re about to find out why.

We’ll stop just across the water from St. Mark’s Square. Ever seen a postcard of the Doge’s Palace and Venice from across the water? This is where that shot was taken! Your guide will lead you inside the stunning basilica for a tour of its art and architecture, then you’ll have a choice to climb the bell tower (admission is included in the price of your tour and there is an elevator). We strongly advise that you do.

Stepping outside you’ll be hit full force by an incredible view over all of Venice. Trace the route of the Grand Canal, admire the dome of St. Mark’s Basilica and marvel at this incredible – and incredibly unique – city. With your guide on hand to point out what’s what, you’ll get to grips with the city beneath your feet.

Small Groups, Luxury Boat and an Expert Guide, for a Truly VIP Experience

It’s the little details that really make this tour. While riding a gondola is a fantastic experience, the Grand Canal is too busy, its current too strong, to make any real progress. We’ve opted instead for a luxury speedboat so you can choose to sit inside and listen to your guide’s commentary or stand outside, snapping the best photos. With audio headsets for every guest, you won’t have a problem hearing your guide whether you’re standing outside or relaxed inside. And with small groups of only 9 people or fewer – the smallest of our Venice experiences – you’ll be able to ask all the questions you can think of.

Our Venice Boat Tour takes you away from the crowds to experience the best that the city has to offer – from the Rialto Bridge to the secret spots locals show to visiting friends. And with a local on hand to tell you the stories woven into the fabric of the city, your experience will be as authentic as they come. You’ll return to Venice relaxed, refreshed and with tons of new knowledge and appreciation for this fascinating island city.

Sites Visited

Grand Canal by private boat

St. Mark’s Square

Doge's Palace

Bridge of Sighs

Cemetery of San Michele (outside)

Rialto Bridge

Rialto fish market

Accademia Bridge

Palaces including the Cà d’Oro and Cà Pesaro

Island and Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore

San Giorgio Maggiore Bell Tower (optional)

Madonna dell'Orto Church (outside)

Salute Church (outside)

Included

2-hour private motorboat ride

Headsets

Entrance tickets to the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore

Expert Walks of Italy tour guide

Small groups of 9 people or fewer

Reviews

5-stars from over 231 Customer Reviews

We would definitely book this again. We were very pleased with our tour. It gave us the opportunity to see parts of Venice we would not have been able to otherwise. Our guide was knowledgeable and courteous. The boat was beautiful and well maintained. All around it was wonderful!

Casey

Nov 06, 2018

Richard

Nov 12, 2018

Paul

Nov 06, 2018

We would definitely book this again. We were very pleased with our tour. It gave us the opportunity to see parts of Venice we would not have been able to otherwise. Our guide was knowledgeable and courteous. The boat was beautiful and well maintained. All around it was wonderful!